After he left school he went to Manchester University.By the time he got his BA, he had already published a number of short stories,and his first novel was almost finished.Over the next few years he wrote non-stop and each of his books was more successful than the last.Despite being so busy with his work,Alex still found time for romance.He met Fiona Jones while he was at university and they were married in 1971.They have two children.He has always been a devoted husband and father.